To view action photos of the Upper Moreland/Pope John Paul II game, please visit the photo gallery by clicking on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
By Scott HuffUpper Moreland was fitted for its first ever PIAA District One Class AAA playoff crown as the Golden Bears rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to rout Pope John Paul II – 9-2. The title game was played at West Chester East High School before a nice crowd on a muggy day.
Upper Moreland will be the only Class AAA team from District One to qualify for the state tournament. The Bears should play close to home this Monday (6/6/11) and will meet an opponent from District 11 (Lehigh Valley).
“I am so happy for these kids,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ernie Rehr. “We have preached to them all season about how important it is to play the game the right way, and if we do that, we have a good chance to win. We played the game the right way today.
“This surely wasn’t the game that I had played out in my head last night,” smiled Rehr. “Maybe for the first couple of innings when the game was tight, but we were confident that we would be able to come back. The fourth, fifth, and sixth innings were huge.”
Upper Moreland knotted the score on a two-run – two out - single off the bat of designated hitter Charlie Hooker in the fourth inning. Sean Valenza (single) and Ryan Snyder (single) scored on the RBI knock.The Golden Bears took the lead for good in the top of the fifth when Mike Janus (double) scored what proved to the winning run on a sacrifice fly hit by Robert Knox.
Upper Moreland took the game by the throat in the sixth inning to choke any life out of Pope John Paul II. The Bears scored four runs – all with two outs – and did so without an extra base hit. Janus again delivered in the clutch with a two-run single. Knox and Valenza each coaxed walks with the bases load to account for the other two runs.
The Bears added a pair of runs in the seventh inning to stretch its lead. This time it was sophomore Matt Kohn who delivered a two-run single to plate both Snyder and Dan Cripps.
“We have always been a team that comes on late in games,” said senior catcher David McInerney as Upper Moreland pounded out 14 hits. “This is a team that can hit up and down the lineup.”
Each of the nine players in the lineup had at least one hit – Janus led the team with three hits.
The impressive Upper Moreland offense was in full view – so was the equally remarkable Upper Moreland defense.
The Bears turned nifty 6-4-3 double play from the combo of Valenza-to-Snyder-to-Janus, also had a rare 7-3 double play when leftfielder Knox made a nice catch in the outfield and gunned down a base runner at first base. Kohn also had an outfield assist when the sophomore leftfielder gunned down a base runner at the plate in the second inning.“That play that Matt and David made set the tone of the rest of the game,” said Rehr. “Our hearts were racing early in the game, but that is to be expected.”
It was an anxious day for the four seniors who could have played their final game for the Bears.
McInerney and Kyle Lockhard – both starters – and Brandt Schnable and DJ Chrobocinski – both reserves – will not end their careers without a district title.
“Brandt and DJ haven’t played all that much, but they have worked hard and are a big part of this team,” said Rehr. “And David and Kyle have played a monumental part in most of our wins.”
“To win this game was extra special,” said Lockhard who collected two hits batting in the ninth position in the lineup. “We have worked hard all year, and our mind was set on winning this game.”
There was some concern that the game would be completed. A brief shower – and a tornado watch – did not interrupt play.
“I have to admit that I was checking the radar the entire game,” said Rehr. “It is a hobby of mine – and I knew that we wouldn’t have any trouble getting the game in.”
Or winning the game for that matter.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 0 0 0 2 1 4 2 - 9 14 0
Pope John Paul II 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 - 2 8 1
Upper Moreland:
Knox – lf – 2 0 1 2; Valenza – ss – 3 1 1 1; McInerney c - 4 1 1 0; Snyder 2b – 3 3 2 0; Cripps 3b – 3 1 1 0; Hooker dh – 3 0 1 2; Kohn cf – 3 1 1 2; Janas 1b – 4 2 3 2; Lockhard rf - 4 0 2 0. Totals 29 9 14 9.
(WP) Kyle Walder --- 7 innings --- 8 hits ---- 2 runs ---- 2 earned runs ---- 2 strikeouts ---- 3 walks
Pope John Paul II:
DePrinzio cf – 4 0 0 0; Koscelansky ss – 4 1 2 0; Mills 3b - 3 0 1 1; Zbrszinski dh - 2 0 1 0; Carr c - 3 0 0 0; DiGenova 1b – 3 0 1 0; Evans p - 3 0 2 0; Mikell rf - 2 1 1 0; Barth 2 0 0 1. Totals 26 2 8 2.
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